Pole-climber.



J. A. SERENE.

POLE CLIMBER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 11, 1916. 1,189,006.

Patented June 27, 1916.

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" H Ill UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES ALEXANDER SERENE, OF KITTANNING, PENNSYLVANIA.

POLE-CLIMBER.

Application filed March 11, 1916. Serial No.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES A. SERENE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Kittanning, in the county of Armstrong and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pole-Climbers, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

My invention relates to improvements in pole climbers, the primary object of which is to devise such a climber having a removable gaff constructed to be surely locked in place without employing screws, bolts, rivets or welding as has previously been the manner in which removable gafis have been attached.

Another object of the presentimprovement is to so construct the gaff and locking means that the gaff may be readily and easily applied and locked and unlocked and removed without the use of special tools.

Other objects and advantages of the present improvement will be set forth in the following description and drawings, in which Figure 1 is an edge elevation of a pole climber constructed in accordance with my improvement. Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view' of the body portion of the climber and showing the gaff in position tov be locked in place and also the position the gall? assumes when ready to be withdrawn. Fig. 3 is a'view similar to Fig. 2, only showin the gaff locked in position in the shank o the climber. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged side elevation showing the. slot in the shank of the climber in which the gafi is inserted. Fig. 5is a front elevation of the gaff. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 66 of Fig. 2.

Referring now to the drawings in detail in which like reference numerals designate similar parts throughout the several figures, my improved climber comprises a shank 1, which lies adjacent the leg of the wearer having at its upper end a loop 2, through which a strap (not shown) passes, which is buckled around the leg of the wearer inthe usual manner in such devices. The shank 1 is bent inwardlyat the point 3, the object of which will be hereinafter set forth. The shank 1 is provided with the usual form of foot support 4 integral therewith, which foot support is provided with a loop 5,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 2'7, 19 16.

through which a strap (not shown) is passed and buckled to the foot of the wearer in the usual manner in such devices.

The outside lower portion of the shank 1, which is constructed of band metal is provided with a thickened portion 6 within the center of which is formed a longitudinally tapered slot 7 This slot 7 is of dovetailed form having tapered inner walls 8. The upper end of the slot 7 is provided with an inwardly inclined portion 9, the upper end of which is pierced with a hole 10, the purpose of which will be hereinafter set sharp spike portion '12, to engage the pole or tree in climbing. The body portion of the gaff is tapered at 13 to fit within the tapered slot 7. The taper of the slot 7 and gaff 11 are so arranged that th erelyyill be a tight fit between the two when theu-pper end of the gafl is near the end ofthe slot. In assembling the parts the gaif 11 is; first inserted in the slot 7 and pushed upwardly until a tight'fit occurs between them and the gaif occupies the position shown in Fig. 2. The extreme upper end 1% of the gaff 11, which is relatively of thin cross-section, is then forced inwardly by means of a hammer or any other convenient means until the said end 14 lies directly against the inwardly inclined portion 9, of the slot 7, as is shown in Fig. 3. This forcing of the end of the gaff inwardly securely looks it in place at all times and prevents it from being dislodged when strain is put upon it in withdrawing the gaff from the wood in which it is forced when in operation. When it is desired to remove the gafi fact that the shank 1 is curved inwardly at 3, the spike portion 12 of the gaff 11 is in vertical alinement with the outer side of the loop 2, and when the leg of the wearer lies adjacent the pole no lever action will take place to dislodge the gaff as would otherwise exist were the gaff not located as is shown and described.

From the above it is apparent that I have devised a removable gaff which is easily applied to a pole climber shank and held firmly in place during operation and yet which may be readily withdrawn when desired; the locking and unlocking of the gaff requiring no special tools.

It will be observed that in this construction when the upper end 14: of the gaff is forced outward, that it serves as means whereby the gaff can be forced out of its slot if it should be tightly wedged therein. Furthermore it is apparent that I have devised a removable gafl comprising only a gaff and slot and requiring no bolts, rivets, screws or welding for holding the same in position.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a pole climber, the combination with a shank provided with a Vertically arranged slot on its outer side, the upper end of the slot deflected, of a gaff fitting within he slot with its upper end extending over and bent into the deflected portion of the slot to lock the gaff therein.

2. In a pole climber, the combination with the shank thereof having a vertically arranged dove-tail shaped slot on its outer side having its upper end deflected inwardly, of a gaff with a dove-tailed portion fitting within the slot, the upper end of the gaff extending ver and forced into the deflected portion r the slot to form a lock.

3. In a pole climber, the combination with the shank thereof having a vertically arranged gaff receiving slot on its outer side, the upper end of the slot deflected inwardly, of a removable gaff fitting within the slot and having a relatively thin upper end located adjacent the deflected portion of the slot and adapted to be bent inward for locking the gafi' and forced outward for unlocking the gaff.

4:. In a pole climber, the combination with the shank thereof having on its outer side a vertically arranged gaff receiving slot, the upper end of the slot deflected inward, of a removable gaff fitting within the slot and having a relatively thin upper end adapted to be forced inward to the deflected portion of the slot to lock the gaff and to be forced outward to unlock the gaff, the shank having a transverse opening therethrough communicating with the deflected portion of the slot for the insertion of a device to force the upper end of the gaff outward for unlocking it.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JAMES ALEXANDER SERENE.

Witnesses:

VERNA D. DAUGHERTY, J. D. DAUGHERTY. 

